Build Your Own Green Gizmo™️ Pickup Re Voicer | Before Buying New Pickups 

People have been asking men how often they think about the Roman Empire… for me all week has been, “how do I make that pickup sound changer pedal thingy?”

It’s real nice to hear that L in solder. Feels like it’s been ages.

Things to consider: 1 - You can only shift the resonant frequency downward by adding capacitance, not upward. 2 - The toggle switch is a nice feature but not absolutely necessary. You could have one position on the rotary that does not have a capacitor. 3 - The volume control on the guitar should always remain at maximum when doing this evaluation. Turning the volume even slightly CCW will add resistance and affect the Q of the circuit, which will soften the peak. 4 - The loading caused by the resistance of the volume and tone controls soften the peak a lot and reduce the resonant frequency slightly, compared to an unloaded pickup. To sharpen the peak, one could use a no-load tone pot and/or use a volume pot of higher resistance value. 5 - Exploring inexpensive modifications is fun. Do it!

One small thought is to put a footswitch on the box beneath the knob so the effect could be kicked in and out during a performance. I know I would use it that way.

I'm probably one of a handful of U.S. viewers that bought the blueprint (and found that some of those capacitors are hard to come by on Amazon without buying 250-500 others) and decided to find out how bad their soldering skills diminished over the years. 1. The box I ended up getting was too small by 1/2 a size. However, I found my inner Japanese manufacturing skills and made it fit. 2. The 12P dial I ended up receiving was a piece of garbage, but I was not willing to spend too much on my first attempt. 3. For anyone trying this out, just use the wire you trim/cut from the capacitors to bridge them. This is not a big learning curve, it is a rather simple project. Finding the right capacitors and dial was the hardest part, and then fitting them into this small box was a feat I would not want to go through again....but I bought 3 of these boxes, so I imagine I will try two more times.

I'm a luthier in the UK. I installed a version of this idea into a prototype bass in 2006. It gave me four very useable tones (and two that were really weedy) out of a single pup. I put resistors to even up the overall volume and replaced a six way with a four way tele style pup. Everyone was happy! Great vid mate!

Who else would be interested in a bass version!

About12 years ago I added the same type of switch with many capacitors on it right into one of my custom guitars. I still have this setup.

🙏Thanks to everyone who requested this video, The link to purchase the pedal or schematic is mcphersonmusic.site/product-category/pickups/the-green-gizmo%ef%b8%8f/

I’ve had really good luck with that Solder Rizz

What a legend! Thanks mate, this is going to be very useful - Not just in the workshop, but it’s also a perfect tool when double tracking guitars in the studio. Usually if bands don’t have many guitars around I’d get them to just switch pickup position, but this opens up the options a lot. Can’t wait to build this.

How very generous of you to share your knowledge, skill and time Waylon. The schematic is a bargain. I'm going to give it a crack. Ian

I just downloaded the schematics and have already found all the components online. Can't wait to make my own Gizmo ! Many many thanks! I really appreciate this video!

THANK YOU!!! I knew you would come through for us!

I'll be using the solderstud hash tag! ❤

Effectively we are dialling in our guitars when using this device to choose the right capacitor. The amount of money to be saved because of a crafty Kiwi.

Dude! I am so incredibly excited about your channel and what you are going to bring us. I've always wanted to make my own pedals. I was flight simulator tech for 15 years and I can't wait for this!!!!

This is BRILLIANT! Thank you for creating this and sharing it with the world!

That looks a lot easier to build than I expected!

Thank You for this... if you haven't made your first million yet your on your way now!!

Ordered the Schematic and parts. Super excited to try this!

Thanks for your generosity posting a how to build. BTW, You play beautifully.

This looks amazing! Can you help me understand how this is different than a tone knob? Caps are run in parallel and grounded to the tone pot. Could you help me understand how this functions differently? Thanks!

Don’t we all love a big knob 😆 Interesting looking project, might give me the kick to finally start mucking around with diy!

Love the idea and design behind this, definitely picking up the schematic. I feel like this tool is going to help with all the guitars I refurbish.

Algorithm brought me - it's like the G&L OMG switch in a box, nice.

This is a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing it. I plan on making one for myself before I get into a few guitar mods and pickup changes.

Time to build one of these. I probably have all the parts already. Except a pedal enclosure. I do have a few breadboards though lol

lol solderstud lmao that's funny that's a good laugh thank you

subscribed! gonna make one!

THANK YOU! this is going to be a cool project.

Just been on your website and bought one of these. Making it would be fun, but I don’t the have the time to do that and I’m more than happy to support you and this channel, it’s great!Looking forward to trying it out.

rad! i'm gonna build this for sure. thanks.

Thanks! Great little project. I just bought the schematic and now I'm off to Aliexpress for some bits. :)

Excellent. Nice playing as well. Thankyou.

Thank you. This will be extremely useful to me. It is much appreciated that you are willing to share this with us.

Mate thanks for that, such a great idea. I bought one of your vintage ODs years ago and it finally gave up on me a couple of months - it is a brilliant piece of kit, top quality and I'll get it looked at by a local tech. I'm back in the UK now or I'd have come back to see you again. For anyone reading this I can't recommend Waylon enough. A thoroughly decent guy and hand makes the most incredible stuff.

Just found this and love the idea. If we ordered one from you can you add the cheat sheet to it? I would not be able to remember what capacitors are where

This is genius 👏 super awesome tool ! And thanks for sharing this video and links to the schematic/pedal !

I finished building the box last night and had a good session trying it out this morning. It's great and I'm now considering installing it in my guitar, especially after seeing your other video. Thanks.

Thank you so much I really want to make one of these I could see it being used as a recording solution to get more tonal options 🤘

I just stumbled upon your channel and I really like what you're doing here. I watched 3 videos in a row that were highly educational and straight to the point. Your flow is great, explanation is fast which I love, and you play very well. I'm subscribed with the bell on, I look forward to learning more from you and thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Fella just gives out his secrets… buy the man some tinnies

Oh my god you made the video, and so quickly. You’re a legend!

So cool . Thank you so much’ ❤I’ll check it out’ loved the last video.😊

Thanks for the great info!

Thank you so much. Im building one as soon as the parts come in

The schematic shows just the way I would have built it. I just needed to know the value of the capacitors

Yes!! Thank you 🥳👏🏻

Fabulous device! My main concern, though, is that your shop is entirely too clean. What are you hiding? 😆 Great and informative video. Thank you.

Thank you!

Ok I built this gizmo box and works well for me finding parallel filters, but the other one, I call gizmo 1 for series filters I also needed to build it more like gizmo 2 with at least 7 different cap values to choose from. that works better also

This is Awesome!

Dude, you are SO cool you didn't censor the capacitors or anything, so anyone can replicate a version of your idea even if they dont 100% nail the capacitor values ❤❤❤

Love it.

Thanks for the vid and for making the schematic available! ❤

Awesome! This will be my first pedal very soon! Thank you sir!

I just bought a copy of the schematic, cheers!!!

Thanks so much, Waylon!

You're a legend, thank you.

It's like a different type of varitone switch! I would want this in my Lucille!

SOUNDS LIKE A COOL PROJECT, I USED TO SOLDER FOR A LIVING AT MCDONALD DOUGLAS UP HERE IN CANADA & KINDA MISS IT. SO THIS SOUNDS LIKE A GR8T LITTLE PROJECT. THANKS MUCH WAYLON & I'LL CHECK OUT YER OTHER PROJECTS, HECK THIS MAY INSPIRE ME TO TRY SOMETHING NEW MYSELF. KEEP ON A PLUCKEN BROTHER. MANY THANKS AGAIN, PHIL

Nice! We asked for it! ❤

This is a great little tool. Def going to lose a tone pot for maybe a 7 selector version of this. Thank you… bought the schematic to chip in for a great vid 👍🏻

Cool device and project. Thanks for sharing

You’re my hero.

Looking forward to the humbucker -thingy at the back!

Thanks for idea. I've built one and it's really helpful)

I made something like this and installed it directly on a strat around 20 years ago. Great tones if you pick the right caps

Liked and subscribed, as a big fan of inexpensive guitars this idea is gold dust to me - gonna have a binge watch this avo!!!

I like you stuff and all the knowledge you are sharing is incredible. So I also baught a schematic to support the channel. I will build it in a few weeks I think.

Ok, just found your channel, this is next level stuff, I'm subbed, going to buy the schematic on the 1st and get these parts, I need to make one..

I really like this. I think you got something that electric guitar players should consider getting.

So cool! Thanks for dropping such cool knowledge on us! What happens if you put a buffer/buffered pedal before the Green Gizmo? Will this obviate the need for using the shortest cable possible before the Gizmo?

I've watched 3 of your videos today - I learned a lot!

Nice gadget. It's ez to modify a cable with alligator clips soldered into the leads. Capacitors can be quickly swapped to test. Not as fun as your rig though. Well done. Cheers

You could wire a selector switch and some capacitor options into the guitar. In place of the tone knobs. I literally always have tone knobs wide open. Never use them. This is better!

I just built one using your schematic and it sounds awesome! It's my first pedal build from scratch and I love it!!! Thank You!!!

Insta-subbed from the previous gizmo video and insta-bought the schematic. Thank you for sharing and I hope you reap in the kiwi bucks from your innovative idea.

As a guitar player and amateur radio operator, I can confirm that the ladies cannot resist a guy who can solder 😉

I’m thinking about integrating this into an ABY pedal somehow..

1:03 its worth subscribing for that comment alone 😂

What a clever idea!

Genius work!👍😃🤘😎

Millions of thanks, i just finished building my one. Amazing results, i love it. Extremely useful in any given situation, im amazed especially as now i have just tested it with an octave-fuzz. Brilliant tool for studio use, but i have added a footswitch and a led so it could also live on a board. (for some reason when the led is on, i mean its connected to a power supply, it generates a little hiss on top. nothing serious just what a mild boost pedal would generate).

I'd love to put this onboard my guitar. It would be great when switching between genres, rhythm bits, soloing, etc

Well done!!!

This is such an interesting concept. Thanks for sharing. Now i have to get off my arse and actually give it a go. When the girls hear I am soldering I expect they will be lining up at my door😁

Thanks!

Thanks

This is a good mod to wire into the guitar itself. A standalone unit that can be installed as a knob unit itself. That will put the circuit as close as possible to the pickups lowering resistance created by cable lengths.

Thanks for sharing. This could be a cool little project to work on. I’ll try to find the time. Would be great to revoice a strat bridge pickup to sound a little more substantial.

Hello friend, i'm no where near your technical understanding, however, the knowledge share means a lot to me. Your video's are very well delivered, your very well spoken, and your expertise is clear. looking forward to more content. Cheers Friend!

Fascinating stuff, reckon one could build something similar to audition values for a treble bleed?

Michigan here.. Just ordered the schematics order number 4188. Can't wait to get building. Thanks for providing the schematics... sharing this video with all my fb friends.

I'm going to build a version of this for bass, when I've worked out the cap values I'll send them to you so you can include them on your schematic.

Hi there. I see your New Zealander or Aussie.? Do you sell these units already built to put on pedalboards.? And where can i buy from.?? Thank you.😊

Nothing impresses the ladies like high level soldering skills

I have three caps in my lap steel. I just did the mini version of this with a three way toggle, after selecting caps. As stated before by another, the volume knob or volume pedal will obviously take any cap out of line. The biggest thing anyone can do as a player, is have fun, spend time, more than money on fun projects. If you choose, build this item, and if you add mini pots, CTS, 250 and then a 500 or 1000, you can directly line the guitar into it, then not only choose caps, but choose pot values for any guitar or circuit, or combination. Then just write down your results, and kick on the soldering iron. 😬😂 The possibilities, and the myths out there, you'll soon realise can be misleading with size or brands, or models. I'm not a scientist, but I also have taken caps from cheap things such as radios, or whatever I see at a garage sale I can use. Don't always get caught up in "guitar parts" as the end all. At one time James Buchanan had a dryer starter cap in a 50s telecaster. Why? Well listen to him on Austin City Limits, and I guess that's why. Have fun!!

Wow it's great